TdF Team lineups

[Delicato]

I know that Saxo Bank has a super-team on cobbles but can anyone explain to me how can they put time between Schlecks and Contador? After all, it is not the same like creating echelons on the flat stages, riding on cobbles is a question of pure skill. I am not sure that Andy is in any way better than Contador on cobbles.

EDIT: Haven't noticed that someone already asked that question.

I think BMC will also put the hammer down on that stage, they have Kroon, Burghardt, Hincapie among others and I am sure Evans will be OK.

 

[Publicus]

can someone help me with this: what, exactly does Dmitriy Muravyev bring to this lineup? is he a "roller" in the Gregory Rast mold? that's the only way his presence on this roster makes any sense to me.

He's an engine for the flats, and medium mountains. And he, along with JB will be the designated bottle fetchers. Which is a sh*tty use of JB's considerable talents, but there it is.

 

[Delicato]

He's an engine for the flats, and medium mountains. And he, along with JB will be the designated bottle fetchers. Which is a sh*tty use of JB's considerable talents, but there it is.

Just like Paulinho and Rast. I hope they won't use Jani only as a bottle fetcher.

 

[Delicato]

Oh, by the way.

Astana also plans to attack on that stage. At least that is what Grivko wrote in his blog.

Vinokourov can put some time between him and other contenders. Having a double threat for GC is the best option for Astana.

 

[Cerberus]

Oh, by the way.

Astana also plans to attack on that stage. At least that is what Grivko wrote in his blog.

Vinokourov can put some time between him and other contenders. Having a double threat for GC is the best option for Astana.

I don't see that happening. Astana doesn't have the team to create havoc on the cobbles. Vino might make a selection forced by strong cobbled riders, but who on their team could create a selection? Plus of cause unless Vino gets into a front group with no other contenders Astana should be working on minimizing Contadors time loss, not on maximizing Vino's time gain. of cause what Vino should do and what he will do might be two very different things. Vino will attack!

 

[ilillillli]

Just like Paulinho and Rast. I hope they won't use Jani only as a bottle fetcher.

am i wrong, or is paulinho more of a climber? i remember horner getting bumped in favor of him last year, so i guess i just assumed he was sort of an all-arounder with a climbing emphasis.

 

[joy118118]

I don't see that happening. Astana doesn't have the team to create havoc on the cobbles. Vino might make a selection forced by strong cobbled riders, but who on their team could create a selection? Plus of cause unless Vino gets into a front group with no other contenders Astana should be working on minimizing Contadors time loss, not on maximizing Vino's time gain. of cause what Vino should do and what he will do might be two very different things. Vino will attack!

Maxim Iglinskiy did well in RVV. I think he will not do anything on cobbles except protecting AC, but it doesnt mean Astana is weak on cobbles.

 

[Delicato]

I think that was just a JB's plan of balancing the team (i.e. the number of Lance's and AC's domestiques). Paulinho is more a climber, but a mediocre one, IMO. So yes, he will be an all-round bottle fetcher

I don't see that happening. Astana doesn't have the team to create havoc on the cobbles. Vino might make a selection forced by strong cobbled riders, but who on their team could create a selection? Plus of cause unless Vino gets into a front group with no other contenders Astana should be working on minimizing Contadors time loss, not on maximizing Vino's time gain. of cause what Vino should do and what he will do might be two very different things. Vino will attack!

Fofonov and Iglinskiy (or Stangelj) can help Grivko and Contador. Vino can actually singlehandedly make the havoc, really

Also, don't forget that Contador will also have Caisse's support

 

[joy118118]

Fofonov and Iglinskiy (or Stangelj) can help Grivko and Contador. Vino can actually singlehandedly make the havoc, really

Grivko is not on the short list for TDF as well as Stangelj.

Could you give me the link of Grivko‘s blog? Thank you

 

[Delicato]

Grivko is not on the short list for TDF as well as Stangelj.

I know.

I only told you what he wrote in his blog, nothing more.

 

[offbyone]

He's an engine for the flats, and medium mountains. And he, along with JB will be the designated bottle fetchers. Which is a sh*tty use of JB's considerable talents, but there it is.

It is Janez' first tour de france, that is what he should be doing. Good for Horner to get on the tour team, hopefully his strong form this year holds. The shack definitely has one of the strongest teams. Although I would say that Saxobank's squad is probably stronger. They will need to combine forces if they are going to take down contador.

 

[python]

Interesting. No Spaniards - Chechu left home, Haimar out with wrist injury,

Also Machado left out of Tour after being denied a chance to ride in the Giro.

But a good strong team in a lot of ways. Surprised they brought Muravyev - I figured he might get left out.

nah. not surprised at all. the guy is a good worker proven last year and above all he's at odds with vino and the current kcf leadership. he is a trusted jb boy nor is he an iberian.

 

[Publicus]

I know that Saxo Bank has a super-team on cobbles but can anyone explain to me how can they put time between Schlecks and Contador? After all, it is not the same like creating echelons on the flat stages, riding on cobbles is a question of pure skill. I am not sure that Andy is in any way better than Contador on cobbles.

EDIT: Haven't noticed that someone already asked that question.

I think BMC will also put the hammer down on that stage, they have Kroon, Burghardt, Hincapie among others and I am sure Evans will be OK.

I think folks are grossly overstating the risks here. Frankly, I think AC and Astana will be stuck to Saxo Bank as much as possible. And certainly near the front since it is absolutely clear that a number of teams are looking to put pressure on him at this stage and the psychological effect it would have on the morale of those teams if they fail to do so is immeasurable. At least in my opinion.

 

[Von Mises]

I think folks are grossly overstating the risks here. Frankly, I think AC and Astana will be stuck to Saxo Bank as much as possible. And certainly near the front since it is absolutely clear that a number of teams are looking to put pressure on him at this stage and the psychological effect it would have on the morale of those teams if they fail to do so is immeasurable. At least in my opinion.

The risks are definetly there. Not just for Astana, but for all. You are mentioning one factor what creates risks - all want to be near front.

 

[jens_attacks]

god please give them a torrential storm during the stage to arenberg.that's all.

 

[Publicus]

am i wrong, or is paulinho more of a climber? i remember horner getting bumped in favor of him last year, so i guess i just assumed he was sort of an all-arounder with a climbing emphasis.

He's a climber. Horner is a climber as well. I figure they will burn through Popo, Paulhino, JB and then Horner before they get to Kloden and Levi. Very strong team for the mountains.

 

[Publicus]

The risks are definetly there. Not just for Astana, but for all. You are mentioning one factor what creates risks - all want to be near front.

Absolutely agree. You are going to have 22 teams, mostly with climbers, jockeying for position on cobbles. It certainly won't be like RVV or P-R. Saxo Bank, of all the GC teams, probably has the best squad for Stage 3, but that's only going to be as valuable as the Schleck Brothers are able to follow on the cobbles.

Barring rain, I don't think the stage will be as decisive as some predict/expect. Of course, having said that, we could get one or more GC riders out the back or on the ground.

 

[issoisso]

Just like Paulinho and Rast

Paulinho the climber and breakaway specialist (who Bruyneel turned into solely a climber) ? No, he's not a roleur and medium mountain specialist, and he never fetches bottles.

 

[thehog]

But then you have Lance... who's a decent cobbled rider but doen't have a lot of guys on his team who are great at the cobbles... and the Schlecks... who have a dominant cobbled team but neither has ever done anything on cobbles (as far as I know).

.

Is the Lance who crashed at ToC and was too scared to race the downhill section at the TdS prologue? He'll be right up for them cobbles!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Paulinho the climber and breakaway specialist (who Bruyneel turned into solely a climber) ? No, he's not a roleur and medium mountain specialist, and he never fetches bottles.

What Bruyneel's done to Paulinho is almost as depressing as what Bruyneel did to Popo.

 

[perico]

Is the Lance who crashed at ToC and was too scared to race the downhill section at the TdS prologue? He'll be right up for them cobbles!

He rode pretty well at Flanders...

 

[thehog]

He rode pretty well at Flanders...

I'm sticking this those on the VeloNews forums:

"Not trying to hijack the thread or anything, but which TEAMS are going to be able to match that firepower? Not Liquigas (nibali isn't riding the Tour). Not Astana (Vino is a head case). Not Euskatel. To me, that leaves only SaxoBank to compete with RS every single day.

RadioShack could do something very special in this Tour. Its gonna be exciting! "

 

[Anonymous]

Sky's lineup will be released this week. They are generally big fans of Fridays.

 

[Mellow Velo]

RadioShack could do something very special in this Tour. Its gonna be exciting! "

Yep.
They could do something in the TEAM classification.
Extra climbers to push, rather than launch Uncle Lance?
IMO: It seems a bit top heavy in this dept.

 

[issoisso]

What Bruyneel's done to Paulinho is almost as depressing as what Bruyneel did to Popo.

Indeed. Paulinho used to be a guy who was always attacking.

And Machado used to be the most kamikaze guy in the pro ranks....a few months with Bruyneel and he's already restrained. Sad.